Thailand News
Thailand news, politics, business, crime, and lifestyle—get breaking updates from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and beyond. Stay informed on Thai society, economy, tourism, and expat life with The Thaiger.
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Sponsored Why retirees in Thailand are choosing long-term health insurance over quick fixes
Retirees in Thailand are increasingly seeing the importance of health insurance in protecting their well-being during retirement. With insurance requirements for retirement visas and rising healthcare costs, many are moving away from short-term plans and choosing long-term coverage. Long-term health...
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Hong Kong master’s student duped into Thai nightmare
A Hong Kong master’s student was swept into an international scam that cost her over HK$500,000 (approximately 2.2 million baht) and led her to an alarming detour to Thailand. This unprecedented case pushed Hong Kong police to seek Interpol’s help, marking the first time a victim was lured overseas. The victim, identified as K, a 22 year old student from…
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UN urges Thailand to decriminalise sex work for healthcare access
The United Nations (UN) has recommended that Thailand should decriminalise sex work to ensure equal access to healthcare services and integrate victim support. This announcement was made during a press conference at the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, where the Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls discussed the state of women’s and girls’ rights in Thailand. This marks the UN’s…
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Thai PM’s first official visit to Malaysia to boost trade ties
Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to embark on her inaugural official visit to Malaysia, where she will co-chair the 7th Annual Consultation. The consultation will take place in Putrajaya, located just south of Kuala Lumpur, as confirmed by deputy government spokesperson Sasikarn Watthanachan. Spanning two days, the visit will begin on Monday, December 16, marking Paetongtarn’s first official…
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Bangkok’s new ‘Health Stations’ promise quick, hassle-free care
Say goodbye to endless queues and tedious hospital visits. The Ministry of Public Health has unveiled its game-changing Health Station initiative, a telemedicine service designed to supercharge universal healthcare in Thailand. Debuting at the Charoenchai Housing Cooperative Community in Bangkok, these futuristic kiosks let residents consult doctors via video calls for 42 medical conditions, dramatically cutting waiting times and hospital…
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Fire at Trat co-op narrowly avoided major disaster
A security guard mistook a fire for burning rubbish, only to discover a forklift engulfed in flames, which spread to a pile of wooden pallets and over 40 trolleys. The blaze narrowly missed the co-op store building, prompting an urgent firefighting effort. Officers from the Mueang Trat Police Station received a report of a fire at the Trat Provincial Cooperative…
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Thai teacher accused of striking boy’s penis with steel ruler
A Thai mother exposed the cruel behaviour of a teacher in the central province of Prachin Buri who allegedly struck her three year old son’s penis with a steel ruler causing severe injury. The mother contacted several Thai news agencies to publicise her son’s story and seek appropriate punishment for the accused teacher. Channel 7 interviewed the family on December 12 and…
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Thaksin joins daughter Paetongtarn on Pheu Thai train to Hua Hin
In a scene worthy of a political drama, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a grand entrance as he joined his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on a luxury train journey to Hua Hin. The trip, organised for Pheu Thai MPs and ministers, marked a rare public appearance for the controversial patriarch amidst ongoing investigations. Thaksin boarded the Royal…
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Pooch walk turns pricey: Russian tourist robbed in Pattaya park
A routine morning dog walk turned into a nightmare for a Russian tourist in Pattaya after brazen thieves snatched her valuables and fled into the early dawn. Pattaya police were called to a small park near Jomtien Second Road today at 5.30am, today, December 13, following reports of a foreigner being robbed. Kalishenko, a 33 year old Russian national, recounted…
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Thai man raises suspicions as mother dies 10 days after chiropractic
A Thai man called for a further investigation into the death of his mother, who passed away 10 days after receiving unlicensed chiropractic treatment in the Isaan province of Roi Et. The man, Kawin Mahuakhao, shared the story of his mother, Somsi Mahuakhao, with the Facebook news page Big Kren to seek clarification on the real cause of her death.…
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Police crack down on illegal forest farming in Lampang
Thai police launched CIB Crush Influence, an operation targeting investors exploiting forest lands, but the main suspects managed to escape. However, they discovered a couple illegally farming corn in the forests of Mae Mo, Lampang province, and have taken legal action against them. The operation was ordered by Jiraphop Bhuridej, head of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and involved police…
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Father killed in motorbike crash with parked truck in Phatthalung
A devastating accident in Phatthalung province claimed the life of a 47 year old father who was hurrying home on his motorcycle with bread for his children. The incident occurred when he collided with the back of a pickup truck loaded with rubberwood logs. Suphat Khunnui, a deputy inspector at Mueang Phatthalung Police Station, was alerted to a fatal collision…
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Southern Thai man finally receives 10,000 baht government aid
A man from southern Thailand was overjoyed when the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC) branch in Loei province finally tracked him down to ensure he received the government aid of 10,000 baht. The initiative was part of a final effort by the bank to help vulnerable groups secure their due benefits before the deadline. BAAC in Loei took…
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Illegal wildlife trade uncovered in Ratchaburi luxury home raid
A luxury riverside home in Ratchaburi, Thailand, became the focal point of a major investigation when police discovered over 50 rare South American wildlife species illegally housed on the property. The operation, conducted by police and wildlife officials, exposed a shocking black market trade facilitated through social media platforms. Yesterday, December 12, a team led by Arun Wachirasrisukanya, Deputy Commander-in-Chief…
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Ex-boxer arrested in Bangkok for violent revenge attack
A well-known ex-boxer and his group of friends were arrested for abducting and assaulting a rival in a violent act of revenge. The incident involved shooting and stabbing, leaving the victim seriously injured, and was sparked by a dispute over a friend’s girlfriend. Police, led by Montri Teskan, ordered the arrest of 23 year old Parinya in Bangkok. The arrest…
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Phuket celebrates Disabled People’s Day with empowering event
Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat led the 29th Disabled People’s Day celebration on Wednesday, December 11 at Phuket Rajabhat University, with the theme, Promoting Disabled Leaders for a Sustainable Future. The event spotlighted the incredible potential of people with disabilities and underscored the province’s commitment to equality and opportunity. In his opening remarks, Governor Sophon declared, “This event reflects our dedication…
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Thai thief returns stolen motorcycle to police station, motive unclear
A Thai man stole motorcycles belonging to locals in the Isaan province of Nakhon Ratchasima and later parked them outside a police station. His motive remains unclear. The owner of a grocery store in the Sikhio district of Nakhon Ratchasima province shared CCTV footage of the suspect, who stole his sidecar motorcycle, with Channel 7 yesterday, December 12. In the…
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Slick road causes pickup truck accident, injures factory workers
A slick road proved treacherous for a brand-new pickup truck transporting factory employees. The pickup veered off course and landed on the roadside, causing injuries to several female workers. Police promptly responded to the scene to provide necessary assistance. The incident transpired at 6.30am today, December 13, when Wiroj Phueadchanthuek, a deputy inspector at Wang Takhian Police Station, received reports…
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Police raid illegal soil excavation site in Suphan Buri
Police raided an illegal soil excavation site in Suphan Buri, operated by a local politician’s family after complaints from residents. The politician’s wife admitted to one year of unauthorised digging without prior arrests. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) undertook a significant operation against influential figures in Song Phi Nong district, Suphan Buri province, following local complaints. The action targeted a…
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Police crack down on Chinese-South Korean travel agency scam in Pattaya
Chon Buri and Pattaya police cracked down on a travel agency scam and a call centre scam operated by Chinese and South Korean nationals, who used two luxury pool villas in Pattaya as their headquarters. Police became suspicious after discovering that a group of foreigners rented two luxury accommodations in Pattaya but had never left the villas. Further investigation revealed…
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Thai loan shark mastermind arrested in Kamphaeng Phet sting
Thai police apprehended a woman known as Add, who is reputed to be the mastermind behind a notorious loan shark operation in Kamphaeng Phet. The investigation revealed that she was involved in a pawn scheme involving vehicles, charging exorbitant interest rates. Borrowers received significantly less money than initially promised and faced threats when they struggled to meet the high-interest payments.…
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Gunmen attack soldiers aiding flood relief in Narathiwat
A tragic attack unfolded in Narathiwat, Thailand, yesterday, when gunmen ambushed military personnel repairing flood-damaged homes. The assailants, using M16 rifles, left one soldier dead and two others injured before fleeing on motorcycles. Police were alerted when Narawi Binwaearong, a local police officer, received reports of the violent incident involving paramilitary soldiers from the 4908th Ranger Company. The attack occurred…
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Phu Kradueng park closes after tourist tragedy with wild elephant
Phu Kradueng National Park will remain closed for the foreseeable future following a tragic incident involving a wild elephant that fatally attacked a tourist. Officials have been instructed to ensure visitors exit the area promptly and have prohibited access until further notice. The incident, which occurred yesterday, involved a wild elephant, reportedly in a state of musth (aggressive behaviour), returning repeatedly…
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Border bust: Thai cops ‘Myan-handle’ illegal entry gang
Thai police, in a joint operation, detained a group of people illegally entering the country, comprising 16 Myanmar nationals and a Thai man accused of facilitating their entry. The arrest took place near Ban Pa Kha Mai in the Kiri Rat subdistrict of Phop Phra district, Tak province. Officers from the Ratchamanu Task Force, along with the Long Range Patrol…
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High-stakes heist: Fake cops raid Chiang Mai cannabis shop
A daring robbery took place yesterday in Chiang Mai, where a group of four individuals impersonating police officers raided a cannabis shop, tying up the owner and his staff before making off with a substantial amount of valuables. The incident, reported to have occurred at 3am yesterday, December 12, saw the assailants seizing cash, electronics, and even motorcycles. The shop…
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Thai sub-district official accused of hiring scapegoat after hit-and-run
A Thai father accused an official from the sub-district administrative organisation in the Isaan province of Kalasin of hiring a scapegoat to plead guilty after a hit-and-run on November 2 that caused serious injuries to his son. The father, identified as Tam, revealed to Channel 7 that the accident occurred at around 2.30am on November 2, when his 22 year old son…
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Thai man arrested in Buriram for home intrusion searching for wife
A troubling incident unfolded yesterday in Buriram province involving a 35 year old Thai man who was apprehended by police after an unusual intrusion into a resident’s home. The man, yesterday, December 12, claimed he was searching for his wife, who he believed had run away with another man. The police were alerted by the village chief of Ban Samrong,…
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Young municipal worker drowns in Rayong River tragedy
A young municipal worker tragically drowned while cleaning the Rayong River, leaving his mother devastated by the loss. The 19 year old man disappeared beneath the water, raising his hand for help before succumbing to what is suspected to be a cramp. The incident occurred yesterday, December 12 at 4.30pm near the Rayong Kindergarten School in the Tha Pradu area…
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Nakhon Phanom ritual sparks lottery hope with lucky number
A religious ceremony was recently held at the Phaya Nak landmark along the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province in search of a lucky number for the upcoming lottery draw. A group of devotees from Bangkok recently conducted a significant ritual in honour of Phaya Srisattanakharat, or Grandfather Phaya Nak, aiming to invoke prosperity, fortune, and success in careers and…
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Pattaya flower seller boosts sales in Santa suit
A flower garland seller in Pattaya has been spotted donning a Santa Claus outfit, capturing the curiosity and admiration of both tourists and locals. At around 12.30pm yesterday, December 12, the festive figure was seen under the motorway overpass on Sukhumvit Road, engaging with drivers who paused at the traffic lights. The flower vendor, 37 year old Kritsada Boonsopa, shared…
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Thai police seize chemicals for illegal Etomidate e-cigarette mix
Bangkok police yesterday seized chemicals used to produce the drug Etomidate, which is being illegally mixed with e-cigarettes. This operation uncovered enough materials to create 600,000 units of the dangerous substance, capable of causing respiratory failure. The pursuit of four Chinese nationals involved is currently underway. At 1.30pm yesterday, December 12 a press conference was held at the Office of…
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